Koskenlaskija facts for kids

Koskenlaskija is a famous Finnish processed cheese. Its name means "raftsman" in Finnish. This popular cheese is made by a company called Valio.

Koskenlaskija was first made in Helsinki in 1933. It was Valio's very first processed cheese brand. Over the years, it has been made in different cities. These include Lahti (1940-1967) and Tampere (1967-1989). Today, it is produced in Vaarala, Vantaa. Koskenlaskija is the most popular processed cheese in Finland.

The Creator of Koskenlaskija Cheese

A talented cheese expert named Mauritz Artur Katajisto (1900-1979) helped create Koskenlaskija. He even won an award for his work in 1947. This award was given at a cheese show in Helsinki.

Koskenlaskija Flavors and Types

For many years, Koskenlaskija cheese has stayed much the same. But now, you can find it in different forms. There are versions you can spread easily or buy in slices.

Besides the classic taste, you can try new flavors. These include a stronger cheese taste. There are also spiced options like cold-smoked reindeer, green pepper, bell pepper, and herb-garlic.

The Iconic Koskenlaskija Packaging

The look of the Koskenlaskija package has not changed much over time. It shows a picture of a log driver. This person is guiding logs down a fast river.

The first 250-gram package was designed by Veikko Emil Sipinen. The design has only been updated a little bit.

Koskenlaskija's Popularity in Finland

In 2015, Koskenlaskija was voted the third most popular cheese brand in Finland. This was part of a yearly survey. The survey was done by Markkinointi & Mainonta and Taloustutkimus. The most popular cheese was Aura, also from Valio. The second most popular was Oltermanni.

Koskenlaskija During Wartime

During wartime in Finland, a lot of block processed cheese was made. Koskenlaskija cheese came in 500-gram packages. These packages were part of the food given to soldiers on the front lines. They were included in five-day field rations during the Continuation War.

One soldier remembered getting Koskenlaskija cheese after a tough battle in 1942. He said it was a very important meal when they were hungry. He still remembers that time whenever he sees Koskenlaskija cheese in a store. He even bought some later to see if it tasted the same, and it did.